What is a Text Message?

A Text Message is a short message that can be sent to and from a cellular phone. When someone says text, texting, or SMS, or if you see TXT in print, all of these are referring to text messages. [Return to Top]

What is SMS?

SMS is an acronym for Short Message Service. It is a worldwide standard for communicating textually between cellular phones. [Return to Top]

Is There a Difference Between E-mail and Text Messaging?

While most phones can send and receive an email, email is not the same as text messaging. There are many differences, for example a text message is sent to a cell phone number, while an email is sent to an email address. [Return to Top]

Can Everyone Receive Text Messsages?

Nearly every cellular phone in use in the United States can receive text messages. Most wireless carriers include text messaging in their standard plans. Text messages sent to a short code through all of the major cellular phone carrier -US Tier 1 Providers such as AT&T, T-Mobile Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Nextel, Virgin Mobile, Us Cellular, Alltel are members of CSCA (common short code association). Smaller regional companies and some pre-paid cellular companies, who don’t belong to CSCA are unable to receive messages when texting to a short code. Because of the popularity of texting more of these companies are becoming a member of CSCA because their customer want the ability to use short codes ie vote during American Idol. [Return to Top]

How Long Can a Text Message Be?

What is a Short Code?

A short Code (officially called a Common Short Code) is essentially a shortened phone number. The short code is usually 4 to 6 digits making it easier to use than a standard 10 digit number. [Return to Top]

What is a Keyword?

A keyword is a short word or acronym (which may include numbers) that customers will text to our 41513 short code to register with a company’s mobile marketing program. The keyword is input into the message body of the text message to identify a specific business. [Return to Top]

Once I Register a Keyword, How Long Do I Own It?

Your keyword remain s in your account for as long as you make your monthly subscriber payments. If you cancel your account or fail to make you payment, the keyword becomes available for other to register after 60 Days. [Return to Top]

What Does It Mean to OPT-IN?

To Opt-In is to join the mobile marketing program for a particular business. This can be done by sending a text message containing your KEYWORD to our SHORTCODE, or by entering your phone number into a web based form when available. This action signifies that a customer has asked you to send them a message. [Return to Top]

What Does It Mean to OPT-OUT?

A subscriber Opts-Out (unsubcribe) when they quit your list. By replying to any text message with the word STOP a subscriber will automatically remove themselves from your mobile marketing service. [Return to Top]

Who Regulates Text Messages?

In the United States the FCC regulates the cellular phone industry. [Return to Top]

How Long Does It Take for a Text Message to be Received Once it is Sent?

Messages are sent instantly and arrive within seconds of you sending them. If a customer’s phone is turned off, or is in an area without coverage (such as inside an elevator), their carrier holds the message and delivers it as soon as the customer re-enters a coverage area. [Return to Top]

Is There a Limit to How Many Text Messages I Can Send?

There is no limit to how many messages you can send using our text messaging service. However, depending on your business and the demographic of your customers it will vary on the frequency of messages sent. You want to send enough messages to add value to your customers and yet not too many that they feel imposed upon. You don’t want your clients to Opt-out of your service because they feel your messages are a nuisance. The number of message cannot exceed the number that you disclosed that you would send your customers for a given month. Full disclosure, compliance and no spam messages is why consumers like text message marketing. [Return to Top]

How Much Does the Service Cost?

CMSText is very affordable and can be se up in just minutes. With CMSText you only pay for what you use, so you can control how much you spend on your mobile marketing. [Return to Top]

If I Have Message Credits Left Over at the End of the Month, Do They Carry-over to the Next Month?

Message credits included in our plans do carry over. They have no expiration date as long as you are a subscriber to the service. [Return to Top]

How Can I Upload, or Enter Mobile Phone Numbers to One of my Marketing Lists?

If you have a list that you need imported please contact us. Lists must meet compliance guidelines as to the disclosures the consumers where provided when they opt-in. [Return to Top]

Do I Need to Put Software on my Computer?

No software is required. We provide a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that allows you to log in with a unique username and password from any location that has internet access. [Return to Top]

What If I Just Want to Run a One-Time 3 Month Long Campaign?

With CMSText you don’t have to sign a long term agreement, you can select a month to month plan. However, 1 and 2 year agreements do offer significant savings. [Return to Top]

What If I Need More Text Message Credits?

In the CMSText operating site, under Account Management, you select how many message credits you want to purchase and they are instantly credited to your account. If you are on one of the CMSText “Unlimited Text “ plans message credits are automatically loaded into your account. [Return to Top]